Afri El Hakim during the International Youth Global (IYG) program at NTU Singapore

ITS Campus, ITS News – An inspiring story comes from one of the students of the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) , especially for those who still failed to pass the National Selection Based on Achievement (SNBP) or the National Selection Based on Tests (SNBT). He is Afri El Hakim, a student of the ITS Industrial Mechanical Engineering Department, class of 2022 who had failed the National Selection for State Universities (SNMPTN) and the Joint Selection for State Universities (SBMPTN) and had a gap year , but instead made that moment a turning point to achieve many proud achievements while studying at ITS.

Afri is a graduate of Vocational High School (SMK) who achieved first place in his department for three years. With full confidence, at that time he registered for the SNMPTN pathway in the Industrial Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Study Program at one of the state universities. However, the results were not as expected. Unlike his twin brother who managed to enter ITS on the first try, Afri had to swallow the bitter reality after failing the SNMPTN and SBMPTN selections.

Not giving up, the son of Ratna Maya Saputri and the late Jumadi chose to take a gap year first and take part in various trainings. He had worked at state-owned enterprises such as PT Petrokimia Gresik and PT PG Rejo Agung Baru, and entered the automotive industry with PT Astra Daihatsu Motor. Although he ultimately failed again in SBMPTN 2022, he did not give up. Afri then registered through the ITS Independent Achievement Selection route and was finally declared to have passed.

Entering ITS was Afri’s awakening moment to work and achieve. He was active in various self-development activities, from organizations, research, to competitions. Afri joined the Reasoning Student Activity Unit, ITS Automotive Team, and the Nogogeni ITS energy-efficient car research team. He also became a mentor and judge for scientific competitions, and often became a speaker at student seminars on various campuses. “I want to prove that vocational school graduates can also compete in the academic world,” said the 3rd child (twin) of four siblings convincingly.

Afri El Hakim when he successfully won with the ITS Nogogeni Team at the 2023 Energy Efficient Car Contest (KMHE)

Thanks to his various achievements, Afri has collected more than 75 awards from writing, essay, business, and creative innovation competitions. He also successfully won six medals and one honorable mention title from several events held by the National Achievement Center (Puspresnas). He also participated in automotive research in Japan which was fully funded, as well as the International Youth Global (IYG) program to Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. “I achieved all these achievements with hard work and consistency,” said the young man born in Madiun, May 20, 2002 proudly.

The series of achievements finally also led him to become one of the ITS 2025 Main Achievement Students at the Applied Bachelor level. He also received the 2023 ITS Wira Adhimukti Award and an award from the Madiun City Government as an outstanding student. In addition, Afri is also active as a Blu by BCA Brand Ambassador and is involved in various student career development platforms .

In facing various activities and challenges, Afri admitted that he had experienced procrastination and difficulty in building a solid team. He also implemented a time management system such as the Eisenhower Matrix and Kanban to overcome these obstacles. He also emphasized the importance of building an individual portfolio before collaborating to be more trusted by teammates.

Afri El Hakim when he joined PT Astra Daihatsu Motor as Administration Coordinator

For this data analytics enthusiast, failure is part of the learning process. He aspires to continue his studies through a Masters to Doctoral Scholarship for Excellent Graduates (PMDSU) or from the Education Fund Management Institute (LPDP), build his own company, and provide scholarships for the younger generation. To those who are undergoing a gap year , he has a motivating message, “Failure is okay, success doesn’t have to be at this time. One day you will realize, it turns out that that was the reason why you were failed in the past.”

Afri’s story is also in line with the values ​​of the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs), especially point 4 which encourages access to quality and inclusive education. His struggle proves that background is not a barrier to achieving success. Afri’s experience can be an inspiration for the younger generation that opportunities to develop are open to anyone who wants to try, regardless of economic conditions or previous educational paths. (ITS PUBLIC RELATIONS)

Reporter: Nabila Rahadatul Aisy Koestriyaningrum
Translator : Devinka Mutianeira